This year's (04) Coachella FESTIVAL broke attendance and temperature
records at the weekend (01-02MAY04) as fans headed for the California desert to
see sets by reformed PIXIES, Radiohead, Kraftwerk and The Cure.

Two sold-out days gave the five-year-old event a new attendance record -
shattering 2002's crowd by 15,000.

But, as temperatures soared past 100 degrees, there were a handful of
overheating problems - more than 10 people were hospitalised for heat-related
symptoms, and on-site medics were kept busy with an constant line of dehydrated
revellers.

Elsewhere, crime was low with only a handful of people arrested for
scalping tickets and minor drug infractions, and the traffic chaos that was
feared as 60,000 revellers made their way to the Indio, California, festival
was non-existent.

Coachella promoter PAUL TOLLETT says, "It was truly magical. I think the
success of this year's Coachella comes down to a particularly great line-up and
an audience who's taste have become more diverse."

Tollett and his GOLDENVOICE organisation planned for the larger crowd by
expanding the size of the area used, but the tent venues still overflowed with
fans by early afternoon.

Beck's surprise set on Saturday (01MAY03) led to revellers ripping down
the sides of the GOBI TENT to get a better view.

The highlight of the festival was The Pixies' official reunion show at
sunset on Saturday, when the crowd in front of the main stage stretched further
than at any other Coachella festival performance ever.